Marks & Spencer launches mental health drop-ins

In partnership with comedian and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax, M&S will host fortnightly sessions where people can share their personal stories.

Marks & Spencer is launching ‘Frazzled Cafe’ in 11 existing stores hosted by trained volunteers to provide a space for people to talk about mental health issues.

According to The Independent, three will be based in London with others opening in Brighton, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cambridge, Nottingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Canterbury and Norwich.

These fortnightly ‘talk-in’ sessions are aimed at providing a space where people can share stories “in a safe, anonymous and non-judgmental environment,” M&S said.

In a press release, M&S explained that “there is a pressing need for both identifying ways to help people cope with overwhelming stress and reducing the stigma that is attached to discussing mental health”.

Talking about the initiative mental health campaigner Ruby Wax said, “Frazzled Cafe is about people coming together to share their stories, calmly sitting together, stating their case and feeling validated as a result. Feeling heard, to me, has always been half the cure.”